Rappers and Martial Artists come Together to Teach Young People About the Power of Chess and Life Strategies at FREE Exhibition and Tournament

San Jose CA, Feb 20, 2007- Adisa Banjoko, creator of the Lyrical Swords book series is proud to announce the world's first Hip-Hop & Chess exhibition and tournament event. February 23rd 2007 at the MLK Jr. Library, located at 150 E. San Fernando Street in San Jose , CA from 4-8 PM., join Adisa and many others at the FREE Hip Hop, Chess & Life Strategy Charity Exhibition and Tournament. This free event was inspired by Adisa Banjoko desire to help empower today's youth through education and entertainment.

"There are so many rappers who play chess, its mind blowing," says Banjoko. "On February 23rd we'll be showcasing to the world a more authentic intellectual side of who these men are, and what they can do. The children of today need to know how many options for success exist to help them to grow despite poverty, violence, broken families, and other factors surrounding them. We are going to show these kids that every obstacle can be overcome with the correct life strategy! Uplifting young minds is the sole reason for this event. We hope to have youth from every high school in the Bay Area participating." Banjoko plans to host tournaments similar to these in other parts of the nation throughout the year.

Hip Hop Chess & Life Strategy exhibition and tournament will commence with teaching chess to the new players while experienced players can play a relaxed game with various rappers and martial artists. There will be tournaments between rappers and martial artist, as well as a tournament for the kids. Prizes will be awarded to participants in the youth tournament. Be prepared to see some surprise guest and observe what is sure to be some unforgettable grudge matches.

Hip-Hop historian Davey D stated, "My ultimate goal is to topple the entire Hiero squad. Davey D wants to actualize his dream of "putting the whole damn Hiero Imperium family in checkmate and rule the world.

Casual, from the legendary Hieroglyphics Crew is helping to coordinate the event. He also plans to participate. "I play chess often. I refer to my chess games in debate, at work, in dealing with record labels, the law and in negotiations. If you don't play chess, you don't stand a chance against me."

Adisa Banjoko is an internationally respected author of Lyrical Swords vol. 1: Hip Hop & Politics in the Mix, and Lyrical Swords vol. 2: Westside Rebellion on YinSumi Press. The books outline the positive correlation between Hip Hop, Islam, politics, martial arts, Eastern philosophy and chess. The volumes interview rappers, fighters and DJ's like RZA, GZA, Paris, Casual of Hieroglyphics, Mike Relm, DJ QBert, David Camarillo, Royce Gracie, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples and the first Black Int'l Grandmaster in chess Maurice Ashley on the benefits of martial arts and chess. Adisa Banjoko has lectured at universities like Harvard, Stanford and Brown on the political and social trends within the subculture of Hip Hop.

NEW YORK, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Ku Klux Klan, which just a few years ago seemed static or even moribund compared to other white supremacist movements such as neo-Nazis, experienced "a surprising and troubling resurgence" during the past year due to the successful exploitation of hot-button issues including immigration, gay marriage and urban crime, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The League, which monitors the activities of racist hate groups and reports its findings to law enforcement and policymakers, has documented a noticeable spike in activity by Klan chapters across the country. The KKK believes that the U.S. is "drowning" in a tide of non-white immigration, controlled and orchestrated by Jews, and is vigorously trying to bring this message to Americans concerned or fearful about immigration.

"If any one single issue or trend can be credited with re-energizing the Klan, it is the debate over immigration in America," said Deborah A. Lauter, ADL Civil Rights Director. "Klan groups have witnessed a surprising and troubling resurgence by exploiting fears of an immigration explosion, and the debate over immigration has in turned helped to fuel an increase in Klan activity, with new groups sprouting in parts of the country that have not seen much activity."

The full ADL report, including a slide show of recent Klan meetings and rallies and a state-by-state listing of active Klan chapters, or "Klaverns," across the country, is available on the League's Web site at www.adl.org.

ADL has identified the following states as being notable for active or growing Klan chapters:

The troubling Klan resurgence has manifested itself in a number of ways:

-- Longstanding groups have increased their activity and experienced a rapid expansion in size. -- New groups have appeared, causing racial tensions in communities previously untroubled by racial issues. They hold anti-immigration rallies and recruitment drives and distribute racist literature with a new emphasis on the immigration issue, and Hispanics. -- Klan groups have become more active in parts of the country that had not seen much activity in recent years, including the Great Plains States such as Iowa and Nebraska, and Mid-Atlantic states such as Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. -- Klan groups increasingly are cooperating with neo-Nazi groups, especially the Minnesota-based National Socialist Movement. -- The Klan has adopted new publicity tricks, such as sending racist fliers to school teachers during Black History Month, and has embraced the Internet as a means to spread anti-Semitism and racism. One group, the Empire Knights of the KKK, runs an Internet-based radio station, dubbed "KKK Radio," which broadcasts white power music and racist and anti-Semitic propaganda.

Reinventing the Klan

"Although some Klansmen may still hold cross-burnings dressed in robes and hoods, today's young Klansmen are more likely to look virtually indistinguishable from racist skinheads or neo-Nazis," said Ms. Lauter. "Today's Klansmen may be as likely to gather at white power music concerts or socialize at so-called 'unity rallies' with other white supremacists, as to participate in ritualistic cross burnings in the rural wilderness."

Since the early 1990s, Klan groups have become increasingly "nazified," with members embracing and immersing themselves in neo-Nazi and racist skinhead subcultures, adopting the music, dress, tattoos and imagery of neo- Nazis, according to ADL. Another trend has been "the collusion and cross- fertilization" of Klan chapters and other major American racist groups.

In March 2006, for example, about 80 members of the National Socialist Movement and various Klan groups met in Laurens, South Carolina, to discuss ways to increase cooperation. Groups on hand for the event included the National Socialist Movement, Aryan Nations, the Griffin Knights of the KKK, the Teutonic Knights of the KKK and the Yahweh Knights of the KKK.

Editor's Note: The full report, including visuals, is available on the League's Web site at http://www.adl.org/learn/ext_us/KKK.asp. For more information about local Klan activity or to speak with an expert, contact ADL Media Relations at (212) 885-7749.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Source: Anti-Defamation League

CONTACT: Myrna Shinbaum, +1-212-885-7747, or adlmedia@adl.org, or ToddGutnick, +1-212-885-7755, or adlmedia@adl.org, both of Anti-Defamation League